The President's Ball - Where My Dad Is More Popular Than Me

My first impression of the ball; driving up to the valet, handing a man my keys, walking away, and immediately hearing a loud SCREEEECH and boom. I turned to look at my car, and the driver who I handed my keys says to me “THIS IS MANUAL?!” So naturally I walked off, onto the red carpet, laughing nodding my head, yes. Following the red carpet into the field house, I grabbed my nametag, met up with the family, and my attention was immediately stolen by the ‘RIT President’s Ball’ ice sculpture.

RIT went all out for this one, it being possibly the coolest event ever held on campus. Next was time to play around with the 360-view camera, feeling like I was a celebrity at the Grammy’s. A circle full of easily 50-80 cameras wrapped around, and on three a big ‘click’. After jaw-droppingly staring at all of the decorations hung from the ceiling and beautiful dresses, we made our way up to the reception room.

My Dad is rocking his 5-piece nametag addressing all of his accomplishments, NRS Member, Board of Trustees, Alumni Association, and Alumnus of the Year 2013. He walks into the room with such charisma and charm, making everyone that acknowledges him feel like a million bucks. I was temporarily demoted to being ‘the nametag holder’ while he gets his picture taken with Dr. Destler, and more award winners of the night. We snapped a few pictures as a family in our spiffy outfits, and proceeded downstairs to our assigned table to mingle with some more big shots of the RIT community.

The night goes on, and a few inspiring speeches later, we watch a video in honor of the man himself, my father, Brian O’Shaughnessy. Reminiscing on old photos of him and his family when he was here at RIT, back in the 80’s was a really neat experience for me. Not only did I get an opportunity to see his hair in its rare form of “afro”, but I also got to see old pictures of my grandparents as well.

After hours with my mom, sister, brother of dancing so hard my feet wanted to fall off and laughing so hard there were tears, the night finally comes to an end and the bidding and gambling (with fake money) begins. I’m so proud to call that amazing man my father, and can’t wait to see how I follow in his footsteps with my career at RIT, and later on in the future. He’s got huge shoes to fill, but hopefully I can do enough with what he has given to me to become even half as successful as he has in such a short time.